BANDS from South America to Europe are battling with fledgling local acts to scoop a coveted appearance at Liverpool Music Week.

Organisers have been inundated with 7,000 entries from places as far as Peru for the MySpace new band competition.

Ten finalists have been chosen from a huge list hopefuls from places including Paris, Barcelona, Denmark and Amsterdam encompassing Latin, jazz, soul and rock.

People can listen to their music online and a winner will be selected by this Monday who will perform a guest slot in the city.

Mike Dean, founder of Liverpool Music Week, said: “It has been very difficult for the panel to get these entries down to just ten.”

Other artists have this week been added to the 10-day bill which arrives at a host of venues around the city.

Rumble Strips, Little Ones and Mystery Jets are the latest names announced. And Remi Nicole, who has been in the spotlight recently as part of Amy Winehouse’s controversial tour, sings at Bumper on December 8.

Mr Deane has since joined forces with Cream to promote the event.

Thousands are expected to attend the series of concerts between November 30 and December 9 after the festival attracted 65,000 fans last year.

Some of the city’s best-known venues have signed up to the festival including Aintree Pavilion, The Philharmonic Hall, The Carling Academy and The Nation.

The four headline acts who have been confirmed are Hard Fi, the Kaiser Chiefs, Madness and the Chemical Brothers.